Cleansing the Heart

The novel follows recent university graduates Qian Jin, Li Qianjin, and others as they grow and experience love and marriage over ten years on the front lines. It portrays the little-known joys and sorrows of frontline employees working on construction projects. Centered on project manager Wu Xinshi and college graduates Qian Jin, Li Qianjin, and others, the novel explores their work and lives, telling how different people make different choices when faced with life's challenges. Each choice marks a stage of growth, and a process of cleansing the heart. One scene: Moonlight slips across the treetops of a camphor tree. Dawei drops to one knee, holding up a bunch of daisies he risked his life to pick from the camp garden. “My dear Jinjin, please say yes. I’ll protect you with my life, forever.” Overcome with happiness, Qian Jin takes the daisies, but suddenly remembers the meaning of the flowers in the Korean film *Daisy*, as explained by the artist Huiying: “Love remembered is more painful than love awaited.” Tears spill down her cheeks before she can stop them. Another scene: Qian Jin is sitting in the office, focused on organizing documents, when she suddenly hears a rumbling outside. She listens closely as the sound grows louder. Just as she’s about to stand, Dawei rushes in, grabs her hand, and says as they run, “Jinjin, hurry! A mudslide is coming!” Outside the office, Dawei assesses the terrain, then runs with the crowd toward the gate. It’s already too late, so they can only flee in a direction that takes them away from the mudslide. He grips her hand tightly. “Jinjin, don’t be afraid. Follow me.”